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Year of Release: 2008 Date Of Review: July 2008 Let’s get one thing straight, this 2008 version of the man in the bat suit is not for the kiddies. Just like the title suggests, this is one ultra-dark comic book film. Christian Bale is once again a solid choice as Batman and becomes the first actor since Michael Keaton to repeat the role in a second movie. As in earlier caped crusader installments, it’s the larger than life villain that steals the show and the late great Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker is no exception. Since Ledger’s tragic passing, his portrayal as the arch-villain has undoubtedly gained momentous hype leading up to the July 2008 world premiere. The end result is an unhinged, maniacal performance that is both grotesquely watchable and gut-wrenchingly depressing. Whether it’s Oscar worthy or not is open to debate. It’s really hard to gage how good the performance really is when it’s somewhat hidden beneath all the face paint. On one hand, Ledger’s Joker could be viewed as a masterful performance that bursts with unnerving cackle or it could be viewed as a case of too-much hype and too-much make-up detracting from a unique interpretive performance. Whatever the case, Ledger’s Joker has a starkly grim realism to it. The difference between Ledger’s interpretation and Nicholson’s 1989 grandiose performance is that “Joker Jack” gave it an over-the-top buoyancy, while Ledger’s untimely death gives his Joker performance an even darker tone, that is ghoulishly creepy and painstakingly morbid. The plotline is nothing more than an excuse to see The Joker go on a murderous rampage full of massive explosions and grisly deaths. The Joker’s wielding blade and sarcastically-sadistic catchphrase “Why So Serious” have enough menace to make both big and little kids in attendance stop dead in their seats. There is simply no denying that Ledger does make a terrifying, un-predictable monster of a madman. His scenes are dished throughout the 2 ½ hours in little 5 minute increments. Aside from an elaborate raid on an invitation-only dinner party, Ledger’s longest on-screen sequence is a series of intense dialogue moments that transpire after he is arrested and put in a jail cell. The Joker and Batman have a one-on-one conversation in the jail that is quite intense but the performances are clearly amped up mainly through the use of a rather potent screeching backing sound. Later there is an extended sequence of Ledger in a hospital, dressed in a nurses uniform, he terrorizes Harvey Dent and then sets off a few deafening explosions, it’s a sequence that almost slips into self-parody but somehow Ledger steers it with a nod-and-a-wink in the right direction. As for the action and stunts, there are a few power-packed moments with the ultra-cool introduction of the bat-bike being a highlight. It’s a big, bold, noisy boys-with-toys moment that Director Christopher Nolan obviously relishes in. It seems Nolan has decided with this Batman to go all out with it….WHAM, BAM, POW… It’s no holds barred, complete with numerous explosions and unrelenting destruction. With some critics branding it as “one of the best comic book movies ever”, I must say that I went into this one with high expectations because the buzz surrounding it was so enormous. The film is fairly good on most levels but it just didn’t blow me away. The big problem is “The Dark Knight” lacks a sense of fun that superhero films need, it doesn’t have a wonderment or joy. It just stays on that same dark and dull level, there is very little light or shade and aside from the bat-bike there is really nothing much in it to get overly excited about. The film’s running time of 150 minutes seems inflated only in an attempt to satisfy the current marketplace trends that suggest that a summer blockbuster needs to be a film that is 2 hours or more. Too many films these days are way too self-indulgent and they leave the viewer extremely tired from all the padding when all they really need is to cut to the chase and get on with the action and the key plot points. Sadly, sections of “The Dark Knight” fall into this realm. I heard a few people complain about the running time of “Hancock” being only 90 minutes or so including the credits… but hey, if it flows well, why extend it, or pad it out? At least with “Hancock” they got the pacing right, it didn’t outstay its welcome but unfortunately “The Dark Knight” does. Overall, the production values are good and the high profile cast does their very best but as a whole certain aspects of the film clunk rather than crackle. At times it has a muddling plot, some padded out dialogue scenes and a love triangle between Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent and D.A. Rachael Dawes that is devoid of the chemistry needed to elevate such a romance element. Maggie Gyllenhaal who plays Dawes replaces Katie Holmes’ underwhelming turn in “Batman Begins”. To be honest, Maggie, who reminds me of a Katie Homes and Kirsten Dunst combo in terms of both look and performance doesn’t have a real lot to do and if producers think she was the perfect replacement for Katie, I beg to differ. Unfortunately, Gyllenhaal is unsuccessful in making the character her own. Ultimately, I believe the Dawes character will be considered a disposable one that is replaced by a different actress each time in future installments. All in all, “The Dark Knight” struggles to supply the much needed ammunition of what makes Batman tick and seems way too pre--occupied with the characterizations of Harvey Dent and The Joker. In most instances, Batman simply turns up out of nowhere, disposes of a few villains here and there and then disappears into the darkness. Also, hearing him speak whilst suited up sounds a bit corny. It’s actually quite hard to connect with the man in the suit and I feel although it’s not an origin story we still need some sort of extra depth to his characterization each time we see him. Bale looks good and does give a slick performance as millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne but his part is nonetheless fairly paper-thin and under-written. For me “The Dark Knight” is just another installment in the “Batman” franchise cannon. It’s worth watching as a tribute to the diversity of Heath Ledger’s talents but as far as being hailed as “the greatest superhero film ever made”, you would have to be as crazy as The Joker himself to believe all that hype. Cinema Synopsis: Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker. © Copyright Pick Of The Flicks. All rights reserved. "The Dark Knight" Movie Stills Now Available:
If you like "The Dark Knight" you should enjoy Christian Bale's First Batman Movie, "Batman Begins" - Now on DVD: Batman Begins (2005) (Special Edition) [DVD] "Batman The Movie" Starring Adam West - Now Available on DVD & Blu-ray. Click links below for purchasing details: Batman The Movie(1966) [DVD] "Batmania" 4 Docuementary Set Starring Adam West - Now Available on DVD. Click link below for purchasing details: Batman: Holy Batmania! (2003) [DVD] Christian Bale DVD Collection - Now Available: Heath Ledger DVD Collection - Now Available: Michael Caine DVD Collection - Now Available: Morgan Freeman DVD Collection - Now Available: Christian Bale - Recommended Links: Heath Ledger - Recommended Links: Pick Of The Flicks - Recommended Links: Pick Of The Flicks Blog Spot / Messageboard: Use the search bars below to search our site, find your favorite movie or find your favorite poster:
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